All Podcast Episodes
In a media ecosystem polluted with bad news, online vitriol, and political polarization, what is the writer's responsibility to the audience? If we - as writers - continue to churn out dark heroes and revenge story arcs - aren't we part of an ever growing problem?
In this episode, Nick and Steve break down whether you should follow the money towards script ideas that have explosive action, hair raising violence, and back-stabbing betrayals - or lean into your own heart to find more optimistic narratives.
As always, Nick and Steve will offer two different perspectives on The Antihero Dilemma that you can use to help you move your projects forward in the screenwriting market.
Whether you're aiming for a low body count or a total bloodbath, the Beyond The Script team will give you new ideas to bring to your career.
Today's episode is all about AI - artificial intelligence - and what it means to TV and screenwriters. When the WGA writers went on strike, AI was among the concerns. Writers became obsessed with what it was and how it works and whether it's useful or not useful for a professional career. Since the strike ended there have been stories in the press about multiple sides of the issue - from concerns about AI learning from TV and film scripts to the question of whether (and how) writers should use it in their own work. What's the best way forward as a writer in a world where AI gives you options you've never had? How much should we lean in? Should we set boundaries on how we use it? Or should we assume everyone is diving in and in order to be competitive, we should, too? Nick and Steve offer two different perspectives on Artificial Intelligence as they carve out ways to make use of this tool. There's a ton of passion on each side. Along the way, they'll talk about screenwriter Paul Schrader's opinions, answer a question from the client mailbag, and each make the case for AI's role in the writer's life. Which approach fits your style and your career? This convo may well help you decide where you stand - even as artificially intelligent creatives are standing right beside you.
On today's episode, we're talking about notes. Every TV and Feature writer gets notes - whether in writers' groups or from executives, showrunners, production companies or studios. But what do you do with all that feedback? Notes can make people defensive and emotional. All those comments can shut people down and some are just confusing. Should you stay open and soak up all the notes they throw at you? Or get the note-givers to slow their roll and keep the notes to a minimum?Nick and Steve offer TWO different ways to deal with notes - from differing perspectives. Find out which approach fits your style and your career. Unearth key insights to help you deal with feedback coming from people who may want to pay you and produce your work. Plus: check out a true-life story about the challenging impact of notes on a writer.
Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not only technique. It's not just connections. Those are important, but it's really about navigating what's INSIDE YOU. How do you manage the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film? You've learned how to put words on the page, but no one taught you to live the life of a writer through the ups and downs. On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers, and script consultants/coaches, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater - offering strategies as a way to prepare you for a long and fruitful writing career.
In this episode, we ask the question: what will you leave as your legacy? For some writers, their work gives them immortality - think Shakespeare, William Goldman, Lorraine Hansberry - but what if your writing doesn’t ever find a large audience? In this week’s installment of TSWP, we argue that whether you reach fame or not, being a writer will enrich your life is both seen and unseen ways.
This show is helping writers and creative folks in 21 countries, and you can help spread the word. Rate the show wherever you listen. Tell your friends! Send in your comments and questions about writing, your writing life, this episode, or anything (writing-wise) to: TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not only technique. It's not just connections. Those are important, but it's really about navigating what's INSIDE YOU. How do you manage the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film? You've learned how to put words on the page, but no one taught you to live the life of a writer through the ups and downs. On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers, and script consultants/coaches, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater - offering strategies as a way to prepare you for a long and fruitful writing career.
In this episode, we discuss NETWORKING. What is it? Is it just asking for stuff? Is it being fake to manipulate people into hiring you or buying your work? Nick and Steve argue different perspectives on how it works and what it looks like. They also FINALLY answer what they mean when they use the terms "writing consultant" and "writing coach".
This show is helping writers and creative folks in 21 countries, and you can help spread the word. Rate the show wherever you listen. Tell your friends! Send in your comments and questions about writing, your writing life, this episode, or anything (writing-wise) to: TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not technique. It's not connections. Those are important, but it's really about what's INSIDE YOU. How do you navigate the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film? On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers, and script consultants/coaches, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater - as a way to prepare you for a long and fruitful writing career.
In this episode, we discuss BREAKING THE RULES. Can you do it? Should you do it? How? We do a deep dive into creating context for your work, going rogue, and positioning yourself in the industry. What's the true nature of the entertainment business: meritocracy or chaos-ocracy?
Rate the show wherever you listen & tell your friends! (It helps spread the word.) Send in your comments and questions about writing, this episode, or anything (writing-wise) to: TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not technique. It's not connections. Those are important, but it's really about what's INSIDE YOU. How do you navigate the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film? On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers, and script consultants/coaches, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater - as a way to prepare you for a long and fruitful writing career.
In this episode, we discuss DISRUPTION, the idea of trying things that are not traditional in the writer marketplace. Looking at your script as a product, we'll tackle the idea of the ODD way in, the notion of PAYING DUES, the PRESCRIBED PATH and what it means to create something that breaks the mold and helps you jumps the line.
Rate the show wherever you listen & tell your friends! (It helps spread the word.) Send in your comments and questions about writing, this episode, or anything (writing-wise) to: TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not technique. It's not connections. Those are important, but it's really about what's INSIDE YOU. How do you navigate the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film? On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers, and script consultants/coaches, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater - as a way to prepare you for a long and fruitful writing career.
In this episode, we discuss the PRESSURE of working with well-known talent, and how best to comport yourself in a high-stakes pitch. Looking back on our own experiences we tackle the idea of PROJECTING ZEN in the face of high-status entertainment folks, dig into how new DAD LIFE is teaching Nick about creativity, and reflect on the evolution of our show's MESSAGE two years in.
Rate the show wherever you listen & tell your friends! (It helps spread the word.) Send in your comments and questions about writing, this episode, or anything (writing-wise) to: TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not technique. It's not connections. Those are important, but it's really about what's INSIDE YOU. How do you navigate the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film? On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers, and script consultants/coaches, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater - as a way to prepare you for a long and fruitful writing career.
In this episode, we discuss the BURNING QUESTIONS we keep hearing from clients and fellow writers. We'll tackle tricky situations like whether you should meet on a project you hate, potentially stolen ideas, getting the next job, dealing with an agent or manager dropping you, being in "over your head" and managing success in your career.
Rate the show wherever you listen & tell your friends! (It helps spread the word.) Send in your comments and questions about writing, this episode, or anything (writing-wise) to: TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not technique. It's not connections. Those are important, but it's really about what's INSIDE YOU. How do you navigate the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film? On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers, and script consultants/coaches, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater - as a way to prepare you for a long and fruitful writing career.
In this episode, we discuss what "getting canceled" means in the entertainment industry, particularly for writers. We investigate this thorny topic from several perspectives. How do you own who you are, and say what you mean without crashing and burning in the professional world? How do you work well with others? Does being "canceled" apply to everyone or a select few? How do you deal with a show you're watching when the characters do things that push the boundaries of "entertainment" and offend you? What's the place of diversity in writers' rooms?
Rate the show wherever you listen & tell your friends! (It helps spread the word.) Send in your comments and questions about writing, this episode, or anything (writing-wise) to: TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this juicy episode, Nick interviews Steve - to learn about his creative journey as a TV writer, playwright and actor, his thoughts about writing and his writing coaching process. Steve talks about growing up in New York, when he first entered the industry, his stellar education and the best writing advice he ever received (from Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman).
Rate the show wherever you listen and tell your friends! (It really helps spread the word.) Send in your comments and questions about writing, this episode, or anything (writing-wise) to: TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this juicy episode, co-host mysteries are revealed! For the first time, Steve interviews Nick - to find out about his creative life as a writer and an actor, his writing philosophy, and what makes writing material pop. Nick talks about his family connection to the NFL, his love of plays, and singing, his adventure working with David Fincher and Gary Oldman on Mank, and how he started working with writers as (kind of) a "writing doula".
Rate the show wherever you listen and tell your friends! Send in your comments and questions about writing, this episode, or anything (writing-wise) to: TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this juicy episode, Steve and Nick visit with playwright, screenwriter and showrunner Winnie Holzman (Wicked, My So-Called Life ). Winnie talks about The two-part Wicked movie, her play, Choice, going back to writing class, finding focus and bravery in facing the page, and putting all other things aside for the sake of the work.
Send in your comments and questions about writing, this episode, or anything (writing-wise) to:
TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
In The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode, Steve and Nick visit with showrunner Matt Arnold (Emerald City, Siberia on NBC.) Matt breaks down how he organizes his writing schedule for maximum efficiency, why it's best to create a buffer when receiving studio notes, and what makes the TV writing life cycle so rewarding.
Send in your comments and questions about writing for future episodes to
TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
In The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, break down the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode, they discuss the wisdom of dreams, how to develop an inner loving writing parent, and why asking for help just might change your life.
The Secret Writer Podcast might not be a secret anymore, but still, don't tell anyone...or do...
Send in your comments and questions about writing for future episodes to
TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
In The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, break down the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode, they discuss awards shows, how to manifest ideas, and the relationship between chaos and creativity.
The Secret Writer Podcast might not be a secret anymore, but still, don't tell anyone...or do...
Send in your comments and questions about writing for future episodes to
TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
In The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, break down the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode, they discuss the merit of filmmaking fellowships, how to write about your writing, and whether you should reveal the "magic tricks" of your process.
The Secret Writer Podcast might not be a secret anymore, but still, don't tell anyone...or do...
Send in your comments and questions about writing for future episodes to
TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
In the premiere of Season 2 of The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, break down the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode they discuss the shifting writing landscape post-strike, how to think like an executive, and the debut of a new show segment called "The Rewrite."
The Secret Writer Podcast might not be a secret anymore, but still, don't tell anyone...or do...
Send in your comments and questions about writing for future episodes to
TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
In the Season Finale of The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Job and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, break down the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode, they discuss how to handle the "weirdness" of a life in entertainment, what to do when plans go sideways, and the future of the podcast.
The Secret Writer Podcast might not be a secret anymore, but still, don't tell anyone...or do...
Send in your comments and questions about writing for future episodes to
TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
In The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Job and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, break down the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode, they discuss takeaways from the Sundance Film Festival, how to treat your career like one big experiment, and why shame is the number one adversary for the creative writer.
The Secret Writers podcast is a secret so don't tell anyone...or do...
Send in your comments and questions about writing for future episodes to
TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
In The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Job and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, break down the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode, they discuss why some great shows never break through to the mainstream, how to get used to asking for what you're worth, and why taking big swings is the key to forward momentum (even if those swings fail.)
The Secret Writers podcast is a secret so don't tell anyone...or do...
Send in your comments and questions about writing for future episodes to
TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
In The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Job and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, break down the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode, they discuss how to handle good things coming your way, cultivating trust with the actors who interpret your work, and why learning to sell is a good thing.
The Secret Writers podcast is a secret so don't tell anyone...or do...
Send in your comments and questions about writing for future episodes to
TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
In The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Job and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, break down the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode, they discuss AI screenwriters, protecting your brain against unnecessary worry, and knowing your own value as a writer.
The Secret Writers podcast is a secret so don't tell anyone...or do...
Send in your comments and questions about writing for future episodes to
TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
In The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Job and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, break down the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode, they discuss how to handle things when your tastes change abruptly, the "right" way to write, and why so many writers settle for small dreams when big dreams are on offer.
The Secret Writers podcast is a secret so don't tell anyone...or do...
Send in your comments and questions about writing for future episodes to
TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
In The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Job and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, break down the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode, they discuss the potential deeper meaning behind a passive protagonist, what to do when people don't get your work, and how to navigate that "all is lost" feeling in your career.
The Secret Writers podcast is a secret so don't tell anyone...or do...
Send in your comments and questions about writing for future episodes to
TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
In The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Job and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, break down the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode, they discuss the rise of deeply personal storytelling in popular culture, best practices for receiving feedback from other writers, and the challenge of detaching from your audience.
The Secret Writers podcast is a secret so don't tell anyone...or do...
Send in your comments and questions about writing for future episodes to
TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
In The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Job and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, break down the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode, they discuss taking big swings in your writing, evolving past your old work, and the potential meaning behind distractions.
The Secret Writers podcast is a secret so don't tell anyone...or do...
Send in your comments and questions about writing for future episodes to
TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
In the series premiere of The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Job and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, break down the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. They discuss a weird meme, writing shame, and the funny feelings that arise when you begin any project anew.
The Secret Writers podcast is a secret so don't tell anyone...or do...
Send in your comments and questions about writing for future episodes to
TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org
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Group therapy for writers.
